U.S. patent number 6,776,741 [Application Number 10/039,217] was granted by the patent office on 2004-08-17 for weight exercise apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HT&R Sports LLC. Invention is credited to Jerry J. Burwell.
United States Patent |
6,776,741 |
Burwell |
August 17, 2004 |
Weight exercise apparatus
Abstract
An improved weight exercise apparatus having an interlocking
grip bar and rotationally removable weight plates. A weight plate
is attached to a socket on the grip bar and can be interlocked with
additional weight plates using a simple insert and twist motion.
The grip bar does not extend beyond the attached weight plates
making the apparatus ergonomically friendly and aesthetically
pleasing. The invention restricts the movement of interlocked
weight plates to limit rattle-type noise typical of loose weights
on a barbell and includes a latching mechanism to prevent a weight
plate from being accidentally disconnected.
Inventors: |
Burwell; Jerry J. (Cardiff,
CA) |
Assignee: |
HT&R Sports LLC (Cardiff by
the Sea, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
21904290 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/039,217 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/108; 482/106;
482/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/0728 (20130101); A63B 21/075 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
21/072 (20060101); A63B 21/06 (20060101); A63B
021/072 () |
Field of
Search: |
;482/93-98,106-108 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lucchesi; Nicholas D.
Assistant Examiner: Mathew; Fenn C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gordon & Rees LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A weight exercise apparatus comprising: a grip bar assembly
having a handle with two ends, each end having a socket thereon; at
least one weight plate assembly, said weight plate assembly having
a weight ring with an interlocking insert hub mounted substantially
about a center axis of said weight ring; said insert hub having a
first side on a first surface of said weight plate assembly and
having a second side on a second surface of said weight plate
assembly; said insert hub has a locking mechanism, said locking
mechanism having a locked position to prevent the unintentional
rotation of said removable weight plate assembly and an unlocked
position; said first side of said insert hub rotationally
engageable with either said socket, or with the second side of an
insert hub of a similarly configured weight plate assembly; and
wherein at least one weight plate assembly is attachable to said
socket by engaging said first side of said insert hub with said
socket, and one or a plurality of additional said weight plate
assemblies are successively attachable to earlier attached weight
plate assemblies by rotationally engaging the second side of said
insert hub of an earlier attached weight plate assembly, to the
first side of an insert hub of a successively attached weight plate
assembly.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 manufactured with a combination of
metal parts and molded whereby all surfaces are smooth and
rounded.
3. The grip bar assembly of claim 1 wherein said handle is a
cylindrical bar of a convenient diameter to be easily grasped by
hands.
4. The socket of claim 1 wherein said socket and said second side
of each insert hub comprise: a housing having a cylindrically
shaped cavity with a bayonet-type flange, said flange having two or
more radially spaced cutouts and one or more stop-position
shoulders dimensioned to engage corresponding bayonet-type tabs on
said second side of each insert hub.
5. The socket of claim 4 wherein said housing is ring-shaped.
6. The removable weight plate assembly of claim 1 wherein said
weight ring has a central core with a cylindrical interlocking
insert hub.
7. The interlocking insert hub of claim 1 wherein said hub is
cylindrically shaped with a projecting mating connector on said
first side and a receiving receptacle on said second side; said
projecting mating connector adapted to rotationally interlock with
the receiving receptacle of another weight plate assembly and with
a socket on the handle of said grip bar assembly.
8. The insert hub of claim 7 wherein said projecting mating
connector has two or more bayonet-type tabs and said receiving
receptacle comprises a cylindrically shaped cavity with a
bayonet-type flange, said flange having two or more radially spaced
cutouts and one or more stop-position shoulders.
9. The removable weight plate assembly of claim 1 wherein said
locking mechanism in said unlatched position, on an earlier mounted
weight plate, will prevent the rotational engagement between the
second side of the insert hub of said earlier mounted weight plate
and the first side of the insert hub of a later mounted weight
plate attempting rotational engagement with said earlier mounted
weight plate.
10. The locking mechanism of claim 1 comprising: a locking
mechanism cavity; a locking lever in said locking mechanism cavity,
said lever having a latched and an unlatched position; a slot
opening in said insert hub whereby said lever is adapted to extend
through said slot opening when in a latched position to engage the
stop shoulder of a grip bar assembly socket; and said removable
weight plate thereby prevented from rotation when said locking
lever is in said latched position.
11. The locking mechanism of claim 1 comprising: a locking
mechanism cavity; a locking lever in said locking mechanism cavity,
said lever having a latched and an unlatched position; and a slot
opening in said insert hub whereby said lever is adapted to extend
through said slot opening when in a latched position to engage the
stop shoulder of an interlocked weight plate assembly.
12. The insert hub of claim 7 wherein said mating connector
includes a circular compression spring to limit movement between
interlocked weight plate assemblies.
13. The insert hub of claim 7 wherein said mating connector
includes a circular compression spring to limit movement between a
grip bar assembly socket and an interlocked weight plate
assembly.
14. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein said mechanism is
automatically actuated when the insert hub of a weight plate
assembly is rotated to the proper position in a receiving
receptacle or socket.
15. The locking mechanism of claim 10 further comprising: a locking
mechanism cavity bottom surface; a dowel in said cavity; an
L-shaped extension on said locking lever, said lever adapted to be
rotationally oriented about the longitudinal axis of said dowel;
and a pin holder attached to said locking lever said pin holder
containing a movable spring-pin assembly whereby the spring-pin
assembly exerts pressure on the locking lever and the cavity bottom
surface to extend the L-shaped extension through said slot opening
when the locking lever is in a latched position.
16. The locking mechanism of claim 11 further comprising: a cavity
with a bottom surface; a dowel in said cavity; an L-shaped
extension on said locking lever, said lever adapted to be
rotationally oriented about the longitudinal axis of said dowel;
and a pin holder attached to said locking lever, said pin holder
containing a movable spring-pin assembly whereby the spring-pin
assembly exerts pressure on the locking lever and the cavity bottom
surface to extend the L-shaped extension through the slot opening
when the locking lever is in a latched position.
17. The cavity of claim 16 whereby said bottom surface is
ramp-shaped.
18. The locking mechanism of claim 10 further comprising: a dowel
in said cavity; a locking mechanism cavity bottom surface; an
L-shaped extension on said locking lever, said lever adapted to be
rotationally oriented about the longitudinal axis of said dowel;
and a pin holder attached to said cavity bottom surface said pin
holder, containing a movable spring-pin assembly whereby the
spring-pin assembly exerts pressure on the locking lever to
automatically extend the L-shaped extension through said slot
opening when said hub is rotated to the proper position in a
receiving receptacle.
19. A weight exercise apparatus comprising: a grip bar assembly
having a handle with two ends; and a removable weight plate
assembly attachable to at least one of said ends, said weight plate
assembly comprising a weight ring with an interlocking insert hub;
said insert hub has a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism
having a locked position to prevent the unintentional rotation of
said removable weight plate assembly and an unlocked position; said
weight plate assembly engageable to said locked position with said
handle on a first side of said weight plate assembly; and at least
one additional weight plate assembly attachable to said weight
plate assembly on a second side of said weight plate assembly.
20. A method of forming an improved weight exercise apparatus
comprising the steps of: providing an interlocking grip bar
assembly having a handle with two ends, each end having a socket
thereon; rotationally interlocking a removable first weight plate
assembly having a weight ring with an interlocking insert hub from
an unlocked position to a locked position with said insert hub in a
locked engagement to at least one of said sockets, and providing an
additional socket on said first weight plate assemblies adapted for
locked engagement with an insert hub of successively attached
weight plate assemblies.
21. A method of forming an improved weight exercise apparatus
comprising the steps of: providing an interlocking grip bar
assembly having a handle with two ends each end having a socket
thereon; rotationally interlocking a removable weight plate
assembly comprising a weight ring with an interlocking insert hub
with a locked engagement of said insert hub to at least one of said
sockets; and rotationally interlocking said weight plate assembly
to a locked engagement with a second weight plate assembly;
rotationally interlocking said second weight plate assembly to a
locked engagement with a third weight plate assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an adjustable weight apparatus
with modular interlocking components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The practice of exercising with weights is well known, and is
commonly used to increase the strength and tone of muscles in the
body. As such, the fitness equipment market has a preponderance of
barbells, dumbbells, and other types of weight resistance
equipment.
When exercising with weights, it is often desirable to change the
amount of weight being used during an exercise program. A variety
of fixed weight equipment is available, but a suitable selection of
such equipment requires a lot of room for use and takes a good deal
of space for storage.
Adjustable weight equipment is also available where weights may be
added or removed from an apparatus. The process for changing
weights, however, is often complicated and time consuming. For
example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,197, weight changes
are made by removing and replacing a protruding locking collar on a
grip bar each time weights are added or removed. In addition to
being time consuming, the procedure may require a special tool, and
can be difficult to implement.
In other types of adjustable equipment, weights are changed using a
threaded connector as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
5,464,379. Threaded connectors have several disadvantages. They may
bind, become difficult to remove, and require tightening, which is
dependent on the strength of the user. In addition, the weights may
become loose during an exercise and may even dislodge from the bar
member, causing distraction or injury.
Some types of apparatus have the bar or grip of a barbell or
dumbbell extending beyond the weight plates, creating equipment
that is larger than necessary and tending to restrict the full
movement of wrists and arms.
In addition, most weight exercise equipment is fabricated primarily
with metal parts, which tends to increase the manufacturing cost
and the final cost to the consumer.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved adjustable
weight exercise apparatus that is functional, easy to use, safe
from accidental disconnects, ergonomically friendly, and
cost-effective.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an improved weight exercise apparatus
comprising an interlocking grip bar assembly and weight plate
assembly that can be used to form dumbbells, barbells and similar
types of weight exercise equipment.
Weight plates of the apparatus of the invention can be added and
interlocked with previously attached weight plates using a simple
insert and twist motion. Accordingly, the process of changing
weights does not require the removal of any collars, clamps, or
similar holding devices.
In addition, no protruding bar is exposed at the ends of the
apparatus, and the outer faces of the weight plates are flat,
making the assembly safe, easy to use, and aesthetically
pleasing.
When weight plates are interlocked to each other on the grip bar
assembly, the invention provides for minimal clearances between
parts, limiting any "mechanical play" between weight plates and
reducing any "rattle noise", typical of loose plates on a
barbell.
One embodiment of the invention includes a spring or flexible
material to further minimize movement between parts.
Each weight plate assembly of the invention includes a locking
mechanism to provide safety from an accidental disconnect of a
weight plate from the grip bar, or from an adjacent plate.
As a further safeguard against accidental disconnection, when
weight plate assemblies are attached to each other, each plate
covers the locking mechanism of the adjacent plate, preventing the
locking mechanism from being deactivated. This feature of the
invention also ensures that additional weights cannot be added to
the assembly unless previously added weights are firmly locked in
place.
The modular, interlocking, components of the invention can be
fabricated by blending molded parts with metal parts, to make the
assembly cost effective, attractive, and functional.
The novel interlocking features and safeguards of the invention are
adaptable to exercise equipment, sporting goods, and to other types
of apparatus where removable interlocking elements are
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the grip bar assembly of the
invention;
FIG. 3 is an expanded view of the weight plate assembly of the
invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the insert hub of the invention;
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of the latching mechanism of the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the weight plate assembly of the
invention;
FIG. 7 is a view of the locking lever slot of the invention and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the compression spring feature of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG. 1, a weight exercise apparatus 30 of the
invention comprises an interlocking grip bar assembly 11 and one or
more weight plate assemblies 18.
The grip bar assembly 11 includes a bar or handle 10 having two
ends, and a socket 12 at each end of the bar to which a weight
plate assembly 18 may be attached.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bar 10 of the grip
bar assembly 11 is cylindrical in shape and of a convenient
diameter to be easily grasped by hands.
As shown in FIG. 2, each bar socket 12 comprises a housing 13 with
a cylindrical cavity 14 having a bayonet-type flange 15 with two or
more radially spaced cutouts 16 and one or more stop-position
shoulders 36 configured to rotationally engage corresponding
bayonet-type tabs of a weight plate assembly. Although a
ring-shaped housing is shown, the housing may have other shapes
including, but not limited to, square or rectangular formats.
With reference to FIG. 3, each weight plate assembly 18 has a
disc-shaped weight ring 22 with a central core 23, and an
interlocking insert hub 17, adapted to fit into the core 23.
Although a disc-shaped weight ring is shown, a weight plate may
have other shapes, including but not limited to square or
rectangular formats, without detracting from the functionality of
the invention.
The insert hub 17 of the weight plate assembly 18 is cylindrically
shaped with a receiving receptacle 21 on one end and a mating
connector 26 on the other end. The receiving receptacle 21 has an
internal cavity 19 with a circular bayonet-type flange 24.
The flange 24 has two or more radially spaced cutouts 25, and one
or more stop-position shoulders 31, adapted to rotationally engage
a mating bayonet-type connector.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flange 24 has three
equally spaced cutouts.
The mating connector 26 of the insert hub 17 has two or more
protruding bayonet-type tabs 27, adapted to be received by the
cutouts 16 of the bar socket 12 of the grip bar assembly 11 of the
invention, as shown in FIG. 2, or by the receiving receptacle of
another weight plate assembly.
The receiving receptacle and the mating connector of the insert hub
are designed so that a user may connect two weight plates or a grip
bar and a weight plate quickly and easily.
When attaching weights to the grip bar assembly, the bayonet tabs
of the insert hub of a weight plate assembly are inserted into the
cutouts of the bar socket flange and rotated to a stop position
shoulder in the socket cavity, creating an interlock so that the
devices cannot be separated until a reverse rotation is
applied.
The hub and bar socket of the invention are designed so that
accurate alignment of the bayonet tabs of the hub and the socket
flange cutouts is not necessary, making the assembly ergonomically
friendly to normal hand and wrist movements.
Similarly, when adding additional weights to a weight plate
assembly, the bayonet tabs of the insert hub of the added weight
plate assembly are inserted into the flange cutouts of the
receiving receptacle of the existing weight plate assembly and
rotated to a stop position shoulder, creating an interlock, so that
the weight plates cannot be separated until a reverse rotation is
applied. This exemplary feature of the invention makes adding or
removing weights a quick and easy process.
In order to ensure that weight plates cannot be disconnected
accidentally, the invention further includes a locking mechanism to
prevent an unintentional reverse rotation of a weight plate
assembly.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism
is actuated automatically when the insert hub of a weight plate
assembly is rotated to the proper alignment in a receiving
receptacle or socket. Alternatively, the locking mechanism can be
adapted to be actuated manually.
With reference to FIG. 4, the receiving receptacle 21 of a weight
plate assembly 18 includes a locking mechanism cavity 35 containing
a locking lever 20. The lever is formed with an L-shaped extension
32 and a pin holder 37. A dowel 33 in said cavity 35 provides for
rotational movement of the lever about the longitudinal axis of the
dowel.
The pin holder is adapted to contain a movable spring-pin assembly
28 for engaging the bottom surface 38 of the locking mechanism
cavity.
As shown illustratively in FIG. 5, the spring-pin assembly 28
exerts pressure on the bottom surface 38 of the cavity and on the
locking lever 20. The bottom surface of the cavity is preferably
ramp-shaped to keep the lever in a desired latched or unlatched
position.
As shown in FIG. 4, the locking lever extension 32 protrudes
outside the locking mechanism cavity to engage the flange shoulder
of an interlocked weight plate assembly whenever the locking lever
is in the latched position.
To release the locking mechanism, the locking lever is pushed by a
finger or thumb to an unlatched position, to disengage the L-shaped
extension from the attached weight plate. The plate can then be
rotated in the reverse direction and released from the
assembly.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the latched position, the locking lever 20
is aligned with the locking mechanism cavity in the receiving
receptacle 21 of the weight plate assembly 18, thereby permitting
the hub of another weight plate assembly to be attached to the
receiving receptacle.
With reference to FIG. 7, the locking lever extension is adapted to
protrude through a slot opening 39 in the hub 17 when in the
latched position, and clears the slot opening when in the unlatched
position.
In operation, to create an interlock between two weight plate
assemblies, or between a weight plate assembly and the grip bar
assembly of the invention, the bayonet tabs of the weight plate
assembly to be attached are first inserted into the cutouts in the
flange of the grip bar socket or receiving weight plate receptacle.
The attached weight plate is then rotated to the stop position at
the shoulder of the flange, creating an interlock. When the two
assemblies are in proper alignment, the locking lever is depressed
to prevent a reverse rotation of the attached weight plate,
maintaining the interlock.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG.
4, the spring pin assembly 28 can be relocated to a pin holder 39
on the bottom surface 38 of the locking mechanism cavity 35, to
provide automatic latching of the locking lever. In this
configuration, the spring-pin assembly presses the locking lever
extension into the latched position when the attached weight plate
is interlocked with a receiving receptacle.
The interlocking elements of the invention can be formed with
minimal clearances between parts to limit "mechanical play" and any
"rattling noise" of the weight plates.
As shown in FIG. 8, a circular compression spring 34 can be added
to the insert hub connector 26 to further limit movement between
interlocked weight plate assemblies.
The invention is designed to be ergonomically friendly. The grip
bar does not extend beyond the attached weight plates and the
apparatus can be manufactured with metal and molded parts, so that
all surfaces are smooth and rounded, thereby avoiding injury to the
body and preventing snagging of other objects.
Although the various features of novelty that characterize the
invention have been described in terms of certain preferred
embodiments, other embodiments will become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art, in view of the disclosure herein.
Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by
the recitation of the preferred embodiments, but is instead
intended to be defined solely by reference to the appended
claims.
* * * * *